Paddling Iowa: 2,200 Miles with Jim Pease

From River Trails to Lasting Legacies: A Wildlife Biologist's Journey

Jim Pease— Iowa's Treasured Wildlife Biologist 

Watershed Talks Recap: with Iowa Nature Champion Jim Pease

On Tuesday, June 16, we hosted a fascinating virtual session of our Watershed Talks program featuring one of Iowa’s true Nature Champions, Jim Pease.

During this engaging online event, Jim shared his extensive knowledge and firsthand analysis of Iowa’s river ecosystems. He developed this deep expertise over a lifetime of studying local wildlife habitats and paddling 2,200 miles of waterways for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Water Trails Program.

Key Highlights from the Presentation:

Waterway Mapping: Jim detailed his journey documenting regional wildlife, native vegetation, and potential river access locations. Safety & Navigation: He highlighted crucial navigation hazard areas across the state.

Lasting Legacy: His extensive research—complete with narrative reports, GPS data, and hundreds of photos—formed the foundation for the IDNR water trail brochures used by paddlers across Iowa today.

Recent Expeditions: Jim also shared highlights from his most recent paddling adventures alongside Mike Delaney and the Izaak Walton League’s Panora Conservation Chapter.

About the Speaker

Jim Pease is an Emeritus Associate Professor in Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University. He taught and served as an Extension Wildlife Specialist there for 24 years before retiring in 2008.

A dedicated conservation leader, Jim served on the Story County Conservation Board for 15 years. He also co-chaired the Story County Water and Land Legacy Bond, which passed with an overwhelming 78% voter support. Additionally, Jim is the President of the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames, a frequent guest wildlife biologist on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa, a book reader for KHOI Radio, and an active volunteer in numerous community environmental initiatives.